2023 Surprise Complex Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The Surprise Complex gather is designed to reduce the wild horse population in three northwest Nevada herd management areas to their appropriate management levels. The HMAs are High Rock, Wall Canyon, and Fox Hog. Based on recent census flights and population modeling, the BLM believes there are approximately 1,100 horses in the three HMAs. The combined appropriate management level, set in the BLM land use plan for the area, is 283 to 496 wild horses and 0 wild burros.
Details of Gather:
Gather operations were set to begin Monday, Sept. 18 and are expected to continue through the last week of September. Animals will be gathered with the assistance of a helicopter, which moves the animals toward a capture corral. The BLM plans to gather up to 494 horses and remove up to 404 from the range. Some mares will be treated with fertility control and returned to the range to maintain herd viability. Horses and burros selected for removal will be transported to the BLM Litchfield Corrals near Susanville, CA. where they will be prepared for private placement through the BLM’s adoption and sales programs.
Public Observation:
The public is invited to observe the gather daily from established viewing areas. Anyone interested should contact a BLM information line at 530-252-5332 to reserve space. Daily attendance is limited to 10 people due to road and space limitations. Dogs are not allowed in the public viewing area. On most days, observers will depart at 6 a.m. or earlier from a meeting area at the Rabbit Traxx gas station and mini mart along California Route 299 at the west end of Cedarville. Each day’s departure time will be announced on the above-mentioned information line. We recommend arriving early to be prepared to depart on time. The BLM strongly recommends traveling in a high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle with sturdy tires, a good spare and tire changing equipment. Be prepared for changing weather and a full day in the high desert. There are no services or cell service.
Adoption Information:
For information on adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro, please visit the wild horse and burro program website.
Background:
Populations in the herd management areas have exceeded the levels affirmed in the BLM Surprise Resource Area Management Plan (2008), which is our land use plan for the region. This overpopulation of wild horses is causing damage to rangeland resources such as springs and riparian areas and cultural resources such as sites containing evidence of early human occupation.
The Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 requires the BLM to manage, protect and control wild horse and burro populations on public lands where they existed when the law was passed. The BLM must assure that wild horses and burros exist in a “thriving natural ecological balance” with other authorized rangeland users and available resources including forage and water. When populations exceed levels that allow for a thriving natural ecological balance the BLM is required to remove the excess animals.
Interested members of the public have participated in herd management planning for this area. We received and analyzed about 3,000 comments on an environmental assessment that analyzed population management approaches for the Complex for 10 years beginning in 2021. These actions included helicopter drive trapping, bait and water trapping and fertility control. Additionally, the public participated in development of the above referenced resource management plan (2008) that affirmed population levels.
- Daily Gather Reports
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Thursday September 28, 2023
Gather operations have concluded on the Surprise Complex portion of the Surprise/Calico wild horse gather. Operations will now shift to the Calico Complex portion of the gather to be managed by the Black Rock Field Office of the BLM Winnemucca District.
Today, operations went smoothly at a capture site focused on removing horses roaming outside the boundaries of the Fox Hog Herd Management Area.
Horses were healthy, showing average Body Condition Scores of 4.
Animals Gathered: 17
17 Wild Horses (8 Stallions, 7 Mares, and 2 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 76
76 Wild Horses (28 Stallions, 35 Mares, and 13 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 2
-Sudden / Acute: 0Deaths: 2 horses were euthanized with pre existing conditions and poor prognosis for recovery.
Stallion over 25 years old in poor condition with a BCS score of 2. 25 year old stallion, blind in one eye, poor condition.
Wednesday September 27, 2023
Operations went smoothly today at a wild horse capture site focused on the Fox Hog Herd Management Area. Horses captured were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4.
Animals Gathered: 82
82 Wild Horses (26 Stallions, 45 Mares, and 11 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 61
61 Wild Horses (22 Stallions, 37 Mares, and 2 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 0
-Sudden / Acute: 0
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Gather operations went smoothly on the Surprise Complex wild horse gather today on a capture site focused on horses roaming outside of the Fox Hog Herd Management Area.
Horse arriving at the capture site were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores averaging 4.
Animals Gathered: 34
34 Wild Horses (16 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 2 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 47
47 Wild Horses (21 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 5 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 0
-Sudden / Acute: 0
Monday, September 25, 2023
Today's operations were abbreviated due to high winds at the capture site. Horses came into the trap with no issues. They were healthy with Body Condition Scores of 4-5.
Animals Gathered: 22
22 Wild Horses (13 Stallions, 9 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 34
34 Wild Horses (23 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 1
-Sudden / Acute: 05-year-old mare with leg injury and resulting deformity. BCS 1.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Operations went smoothly today at a capture site focusing on the south end of the High Rock Herd Management Area and part of the adjacent Fox Hog HMA. Conditions were cool and breezy. The horses moved into the trap with no issues.
Horses were healthy, exhibiting Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.
Animals Gathered: 40
40 Wild Horses (17 Stallions, 18 Mares, and 5 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 2
-Sudden / Acute: 02 horses were euthanized. They had pre-existing conditions and poor prognosis for recovery:
1. 11-year-old mare with abscessed and infected left front hoof. Horse was lame; mobility was heavily impacted.
2. Mare over 25 years old in poor body condition (BCS 1 to 2). No teeth and very weak.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Operations continued smoothly today under favorable weather conditions at a capture site focused primarily on the High Rock Herd Management Area. Some horses were captured from the Fox Hog HMA.
Of note today was capture of 15 burros. There is no appropriate management level for burros in the HMAs included in this gather.
Animals captured were healthy, exhibiting Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.
Animals Gathered: 103
88 Wild Horses (48 Stallions, 32 Mares, and 8 Foals)
15 Wild Burros (4 Jacks, 10 Jennies, and 1 Foals)Animals Shipped: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 4
-Sudden / Acute: 0All were animals euthanized due to pre existing conditions and with poor prognosis for improvement.
1. 20-year-old stallion. Blind.
2. 3-year-old mare with ruptured eye socket
3. 3-year-old mare, severe rupture in anus area.
4. 2-month-old foal with right leg injury and poorly fused previous bone break.
Friday, September 22, 2023
Gather operations went smoothly today at a capture site in the High Rock Herd Management area. There were no issues. Horses appeared healthy and in good condition.
Animals Gathered: 82
82 Wild Horses (29 Stallions, 46 Mares, and 7 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 31
31 Wild Horses (11 Stallions, 20 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 1
-Sudden / Acute: 0A six-month-old horse was euthanized due to blindness. Poor prognosis for recovery.
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Gather operations went smoothly today at a capture site focused on capturing horses roaming outside of the High Rock Herd Management Area. Weather was cool and breezy.
Horses captured were in good condition, showing Body Condition Scores of 5.
Animals Gathered: 19
19 Wild Horses (2 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 5 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 32
32 Wild Horses (12 Stallions, 9 Mares, and 11 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 0
-Sudden / Acute: 0
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Gather operations went smoothly today at a capture site designed to remove animals that are roaming outside of the High Rock Herd Management Area.
Wind was an issue for most of the day, and operations were shut down in mid to late afternoon.
Operations will continue at the same capture site on
Thursday, Sept. 21.Horses were in good condition, with most showing Body Condition Scores of 5.
Animals Gathered: 27
27 Wild Horses (5 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 10 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 3
-Sudden / Acute: 0All were euthanized due to pre existing conditions and poor prognosis for recovery. Summary:
1. 20-year-old mare with cancer of the eye. BCS score of 2.
2. 3-year-old mare emaciated with poor prognosis to recover. BCS score of 2.
3. 2-year-old stallion with a spinal deformity causing severe mobility issues. BCS score of 3.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Gather operations went smoothly on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at a capture site west of Cedarville. Weather conditions were excellent. Horses captured showed good body condition, exhibiting an average BCS score of 5. Horses were from the Wall Canyon Herd Management Area.
The capture site will be moved on Wednesday, Sept. 20, to focus on horses within and outside of the High Rock Herd Management Area.
Animals Gathered: 25
25 Wild Horses (13 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 33
33 Wild Horses (11 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 1
-Sudden / Acute: 0A 25-year-old stallion was euthanized due to poor body condition -- BCS 1 -- and a pre-existing leg injury. There was a poor prognosis for improvement.
Monday, September 18, 2023
Operations went well on the first day of operations. Horses were captured from the Wall Canyon and High Rock HMAs.
Animals Gathered: 44
44 Wild Horses (19 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 2 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Shipped: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)Deaths: 2
-Sudden / Acute: 0A 4-year-old stallion and a 3-year-old mare were euthanized due to club feet and poor prognosis for recovery.
Gather Status
As of 9/28/2023
Animals Gathered: 495
484 Wild Horses (200 Stallions, 232 Mares, and 52 Foals)
15 Wild Burros (4 Jacks, 10 Jennies, and 1 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 468
468 Wild Horses (196 Stallions, 230 Mares, and 50 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 16
-Sudden / Acute: 0
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 16
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